INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

Chapter 126

Happy Reading

The dining room was warm and inviting, lit with fairy lights and laughter. The long table was surrounded by both familiar and new faces — an evening that had once felt like a far-off idea was now unfolding with genuine smiles and conversations.

Dharshi stood at the edge of the living room, watching her father — Dev Malhotra — as he laughed at something Isabella Gilbert, Elena’s mom, had just said. It had been so long since she’d seen that light in his eyes.

Dharshi (softly to Keerthi): “It’s still sinking in. But… he’s happy. Really happy.”

Keerthi (smiling): “He deserves that. And… I guess I’ve got a new Chachi now?”

They both giggled.

Across the room, Elena walked in carrying a tray of drinks. She handed glasses around with her usual confidence, but there was a hint of nervous energy in her eyes too.

Elena: “I’ve seen my mom with people, but never like this. She actually looks… at home.”

Keerthi: “Maybe because she is. This is kind of becoming one big, crazy family.”

Dharshi (smirking): “From best friends to step-sisters. Sounds like a Netflix show.”

They all burst out laughing.

________

When dinner plates were cleared and everyone had settled into a mellow after-dinner haze, Dharshi stood and gently tapped her fork against her glass.

> Dharshi: “Okay, don’t panic — we’re not announcing a wedding or anything.”

> Keerthi: “But we do have a small surprise for the grown-ups.”

From under the table, Keerthi pulled out a beautifully wrapped scrapbook. Elena passed it to Isabella and Dev.

Each page unfolded little memories and hidden moments: photos from school events, silly selfies with blurred adults in the background, heartfelt messages.

> “The science fair where you two stood next to each other for twenty minutes without speaking.”

> “First family festival — where none of us knew this would turn into forever.”

At the end, there were handwritten letters from Dharshi, Keerthi, and Elena, each expressing what it meant to see their parents happy, and how family could be something you built with time, love, and a little chaos.

Isabella looked overwhelmed, brushing away tears. Dev cleared his throat, clearly moved.

Dev: “This is… truly thoughtful. Thank you.”

Isabella: “You girls didn’t have to do this.”

Keerthi’s Mom (teasing): “Of course they did. Now we have to start preparing for Sunday lunches with double the drama.”

________

Just as laughter picked up again, Dharshi grabbed her phone and whispered to Keerthi and Elena. A quick dial — and suddenly, Nick’s face appeared on the screen, grinning from his college dorm.

Nick (on video): “Wow. So this is what happens when I miss one dinner?”

Dev Malhotra: “We were just saying it’s not a wedding. Yet.”

Isabella (laughing softly): “Let’s not scare them off, Dev.”

The room roared with laughter.